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The Commonweal til of Massachusetts 




THE STAR OF SERVICE 

rOR> THE PLAG, POR> LIBERTY 
AND POR> JUSTICE 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 




THE MOST JUST AND 
MOST COMPELLING CAUSE 
THAT EVEFo ENNOBLED 
THE PURSUn^ OF VICTORY' 



Y\a.Z, 



PREPARED UNDER> THE DIR^ECTTON 
OP THE 
5 SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWE.^LTH 



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Efje Commontocaltb of iHaggacfjusfcttsi 



EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT 

Boston, May 15, 1918 

To the Honorable Senate and 

House of Representatives : 

There has been adopted in the Commonwealth, through 
common consent, a flag which indicates by a star the fact that 
a man is in the service of the country, which is practically 
uniform in character. These service flags fly from the homes 
of the boys, from the city and town halls, churches, colleges, 
clubs and other places. It is a beautifril custom and is a rare 
ornament to the structure flying the flags. There has not, 
however, been an approval by the Commonwealth of this plan, 
nor, so far as I know, has there been any effort to make pro- 
vision for further insignia to show by these flags those who 
were wounded in the service, received marks of distinction, 
were captured, or were missing. It seems to me desirable that 
the Commonwealth should make some oflicial provision so that 
there will be uniformity in the method of marking, and thus 
avoid confusion. The State is a direct partner with any family 
that flies a flag, and shares the joy, honor, and sorrow of the 
family. In accordance with this thought, I am transmitting 
you herewith a suggestion that has been drafted by Mr. Herbert 
H. Boynton, Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth, who was 
also instrumental in providing the material for a little booklet 
issued by the Commonwealth on " Gur Flag." 

I recommend that such action be taken in the premises 
as you may deem proper. 



At-t.»-c*u-<^ ^Xuo Cu^^ 



^^c Commontucaltf) of iHassfacjjusfctts; 



OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 

In accordance with the foregoing recommendation, 
the House of Representatives by an order dated May 28, 
19 18, authorized the preparation of a series of designs 
complete in themselves for symbolizing likely events of 
service, and which are capable of use for any combinations 
of such events, with necessary instructions for their use. 
An endeavor has been made to establish by the accom- 
panying emblems, a simple and comprehensive method, 
not conflicting with established official usage. 

The blue star (loyalty, sincerity and justice) upon 
a white field (hope, purity and truth) is so universally 
accepted as the emblem of service that its use is con- 
tinued, each star representing a particular individual, the 
symbols being the same, however, when the white star 
on a blue ground is used. 

Gold indicates wounds, officially recognized distin- 
guished service, and death. (See designs 2, 3 and 4.) 
A gold cross in the centre of the star indicates wounds. 
A gold circle on the blue star indicates officially rec- 
ognized distinguished service, and a gold star in the 
centre of the blue star indicates death. It is suggested 
that in the case of death, in addition to the gold star, 
a laurel wreath partly enveloping the blue star, may be 
used with excellent effect. (See design 10.) The color 



red indicates missing or captured. (See designs 5 and 
6.) Red diamonds placed at the base between the 
points of the star represent missing, and a red circle 
enveloping the star represents captured. If desired, 
rank may be shown by the proper insignia or chevron 
of the officer or non-commissioned officer placed directly 
above the star. Service in the " * zone of the advance " 
may be symbolized by a gold chevron placed below the 
star, one for each six months of such service. 

Secretary of the Commonwealth 
Boston, May 28, 1918 



* Zone nearest the enemy 



---^s?^ 



IN RECOGNITION OF SERVICE 

TO GOD, TO COUNTRY AND TOR 

AN HONORABLE AND PERMANENT 

PEACE IN THE WORLD 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 




In Service in tKe Army or Navy 
of the United States 



No. 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 




Wounded in Service 



No. 2 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 




Decorated for Distinguished Service 



No. 3 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 



tV 



Died in Service 



No. 4 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 




Missinq 



No. 5 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 




Captured 



No. 6 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 




Wounded and Decorated for 
Distmcjuished Service 



No. 7 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 




Decorated for Distinquished Service 
and Died in Service 



No. 8 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 




Wounded, Decorated for Distinguished 
Service and Missing 



No. 9 



EMBIiEMS OF SERVICE 




Died in Service 

Gold Star Insert 

(Laurel Wreath Optional) 



No. 10 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

I I III III nil nil 



011 396 967 2 




